The Chinese government has expressed readiness to partner the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) to advance cooperation in the Blue Economy, coastal management and delta governance across Africa.
Also, the Chinese government identified sustainable river basin management, coastal protection, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) management and ocean literacy as priority areas for collaboration.
Key Highlights
- China ready to partner ABER on blue economy, coastal management and delta governance in Africa.
- Priority areas include river basin management, coastal protection, EEZ management and ocean literacy.
- ABER proposes an ECNU-ABER river-delta knowledge hub in Nigeria.
- Proposed China-Africa fellowship to train 20 African scholars yearly at ECNU.
- Abuja-Shanghai Delta Governance Dialogue proposed for Yenagoa.
The commitments were made in Abuja, when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, represented by the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Mr. Sun Xuekun, received a delegation of ABER led by its Convener and Founder, Piriye Kiyaramo, on Friday.
The ambassador said China regards Nigeria as a strategic partner in the Gulf of Guinea and is committed to strengthening maritime and economic cooperation with Nigeria and other African countries.
He cited China’s involvement in port development, railway infrastructure, free trade zones and maritime logistics, noting that cooperation could be extended to river basin management, coastal protection, delta governance and capacity building under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
ABER Hails China-Africa Delta Initiative
Kiyaramo commended the Chinese government and East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai, for initiating the China-Africa Cooperation on River Basins, Coastal Zones and Delta Governance.
He described the initiative as an important development in China-Africa relations, particularly in addressing the interconnected challenges of river systems, coastal communities and delta environments.
Kiyaramo said ABER, a Pan-African platform comprising more than 400 maritime experts, academics, industry leaders and seafarers across 25 coastal states and the Diaspora, was positioned to facilitate collaboration between African institutions and international partners.
He said the organisation is promoting Africa’s blue economy through its identify, protect and harness framework, with emphasis on policy advocacy, research, community inclusion and continental cooperation.
The ABER convener said the organisation has championed the development of Nigeria’s first national policy on marine and blue economy, approved in May 2025.
He added that ABER is advocating a complementary national river basin and delta governance framework, drawing lessons from China’s integrated approach to managing the Yangtze River Delta.
Read also:
- ABER Hails Gov Diri For Hosting Rescued São Tomé Fishermen In Bayelsa
- Maritime Journalists Honour ABER Women’s Forum Secretary General For Outstanding Leadership
- World Rivers Day 2026: NDBDA Launches Waterways Sanitation Corps, Declares ‘No Blue Economy Without Clean Rivers’
Proposed Knowledge Hub, Fellowship
Kiyaramo also proposed an ECNU-ABER river-delta knowledge hub in Nigeria to support joint research, data collection, river monitoring and capacity development.
The proposed centre, he said, would facilitate the establishment of monitoring stations along the Niger and Benue rivers and provide training opportunities for African hydrologists.
He said ABER’s Africa blue ocean guardians initiative would also promote the participation of women fish processors, fishermen and young people in coastal protection and community-based river monitoring.
According to him, the organisation is working to extend the ECNU initiative beyond the Niger Delta to other major African river systems, including the Senegal River Delta and Congo Basin.
Kiyaramo said the proposed collaboration would help address environmental degradation, coastal erosion, pollution and other challenges confronting African riverine and coastal communities.
To advance the partnership, he proposed that ABER be designated Nigeria’s implementing partner for ECNU’s Africa programme.
He also proposed a joint China-Africa River-Coast-Delta Fellowship to provide annual training opportunities at ECNU for 20 African scholars.
Another proposal is for an Abuja-Shanghai Delta Governance Dialogue to be hosted in Yenagoa during ABER’s proposed Gulf of Guinea Blue Economy Media Summit, with the Chinese embassy and ECNU as co-hosts.
Kiyaramo said the proposals were intended to translate China-Africa cooperation into practical research, policy development and investment opportunities.
For more maritime and blue economy news, follow us on X.
